Excel Won’t Unhide Rows | Fix It Fast

What This Error Looks Like

You try Home > Format > Hide & Unhide > Unhide Rows, yet nothing appears. The scroll bar jumps, row numbers skip, or the first row stays missing. The issue can stem from filters, protection, outline groups, freeze panes, or row height set near zero.

Fast Diagnosis Table

Run through these telltale signs. Pick the matching fix and move on.

Symptom	Likely Cause	Fix
Row numbers jump (7 to 12)	Hidden range	Select rows around the gap > Home > Format > Unhide Rows
Filter icons on headers	Active filter	Data > Clear; or toggle Filter off
Small +/- or 1-2-3 buttons at left	Outline grouping	Click 2 or 3 to expand; Data > Ungroup if needed
Only top lines visible while scrolling	Frozen panes	View > Unfreeze Panes
Sheet actions blocked	Sheet protection	Review > Unprotect Sheet
First row missing	Row height zero	Select A1 > Format > Row Height > 15
View keeps hiding the same bands	Custom view	View > Custom Views > None or Delete

Excel Not Unhiding Rows: Quick Checks

1) Clear Any Filters

Filters hide rows that do not match the criteria. If column headers show drop-down arrows or a funnel icon, remove filters. Go to Data > Clear. If the Filter button is lit, click it once to turn filtering off.

Need the official steps? See the Microsoft guide to clearing filters.

2) Unprotect The Sheet

Protection can block layout changes, including unhide. Head to Review > Unprotect Sheet. If prompted, enter the password.

3) Expand Outline Groups

If you see small +/- buttons or 1-2-3 level buttons beside the row headers, rows are grouped. Click the highest detail level or the plus signs to show detail. To remove the structure, choose Data > Ungroup > Rows.

4) Unfreeze Panes

Frozen panes pin one area while the rest scrolls. That layout can mimic hidden rows. Go to View > Unfreeze Panes. If you still need a header row locked, use Freeze Top Row again after you finish checking.

5) Reset Row Height

Weird formatting or a paste from another system can set a height near zero. Select the rows around the gap, choose Home > Format > Row Height, and type 15. You can also try AutoFit Row Height.

6) Remove A Problem View

Custom views can store hidden rows and filters. Go to View > Custom Views. Apply a different view or delete the one that hides the content.

7) Try The Classic Unhide Paths

Select the rows that surround the gap, right-click the row headers, and pick Unhide. If the first row is hidden, press Ctrl+G, enter A1, press Enter, then Home > Format > Row Height > 15.

Step-By-Step Fixes For Windows

Clear Filters Fast

1. Click any cell inside your data.
2. Choose Data > Clear to remove all active filters.
3. If the Filter button is active, click it to turn filters off.

Unhide Rows With The Ribbon

1. Drag across the row headers around the gap.
2. Home > Format > Hide & Unhide > Unhide Rows.
3. If nothing changes, set Row Height to 15 instead.

Fix First Row Hidden

1. Press Ctrl+G, type A1, press Enter.
2. Home > Format > Row Height > 15; or AutoFit Row Height.

Remove Protection

1. Open Review > Unprotect Sheet.
2. Enter the password if asked.

Expand Or Remove Grouping

1. Click the highest detail level (2 or 3) on the outline bar.
2. Press the plus signs to expand groups.
3. To remove grouping, Data > Ungroup > Rows.

Unfreeze Panes

1. View > Unfreeze Panes.

Delete A Custom View

1. View > Custom Views.
2. Select the active view and choose Delete; or pick a view that shows all rows.

Step-By-Step Fixes For Mac

Remove Filters

1. Select any cell in the range.
2. On the Data tab, click Clear; or toggle the Filter button off.

Unhide With Row Headers

1. Drag to select the rows around the gap.
2. Right-click the selection and choose Unhide.
3. If still hidden, set Row Height to 15 from the Format menu.

Show First Row

1. Press Command+G, type A1, press Return.
2. Use Format > Row Height and enter 15; or AutoFit.

Unprotect And Check Grouping

1. Review > Unprotect Sheet.
2. Click the 2 or 3 level buttons to expand groups, or Data > Ungroup.

Unfreeze Panes On Mac

1. View > Unfreeze Panes.

Why Excel Keeps Hiding Rows

Several features can mask data even when you try to unhide. Filters hide data on purpose. Outline groups collapse detail behind summary rows. Freeze panes make it look like the top is missing when you scroll. Protection blocks layout edits. Any one of them can make rows seem stuck.

For a quick reference on basic unhide steps, check the Microsoft page on showing rows.

Power Moves For Stubborn Sheets

Select Entire Sheet And Reset Heights

Click the square at the top left of the grid to select all cells. Then pick Home > Format > Row Height and type 15. This forces every row back to a readable size.

Reveal Hidden Rows Inside A Table

When your data is an official Excel Table, filters live on every column. Use the drop-down on each header and choose Select All.

Check Page Break Preview And Zoom

In Page Break Preview, gray zones can look like missing bands. Switch back to Normal on the View tab.

Look For Hidden Worksheets Or A Split

If an entire sheet seems blank, you may be on the wrong tab or working in a split window. Right-click a sheet tab and choose Unhide if the tab list appears.

Handy Shortcuts And Paths

Bookmark these time savers for the next time Excel won’t unhide rows.

Action	Windows	Mac
Jump to A1	Ctrl+G, type A1, Enter	Command+G, type A1, Return
Toggle Filter	Alt+D,F,F	Data tab > Filter
Unhide Rows	Home > Format > Unhide Rows	Right-click row headers > Unhide
Unfreeze	View > Unfreeze Panes	View > Unfreeze Panes
Ungroup	Data > Ungroup	Data > Ungroup
Row Height	Home > Format > Row Height	Format > Row Height

Troubleshooting Flow You Can Trust

Order That Saves Time

Follow this sequence: Clear filters → Unfreeze panes → Expand groups → Unprotect sheet → Reset row height → Remove custom view. Test after each step.

What To Try If Nothing Works

• Copy the sheet into a fresh workbook.
• Paste values only to strip formats that force tiny heights.
• Open Excel in Safe Mode to bypass add-ins, then open the file again.
• Ask a coworker to open the file and send a clean copy if they see all rows.

Quick Recap And Next Steps

When rows will not unhide, think visibility controls first. Remove filters, unfreeze panes, and expand groups. If actions are blocked, unprotect the sheet. If rows show as gaps, reset row height or use AutoFit. If the same view keeps hiding ranges, check Custom Views. With these moves, the sheet shows every row you expect.

Prevent repeats by keeping filters obvious: format the header row, turn the Filter button off when you are done, and avoid row heights under 12. Keep Freeze Panes simple—Freeze Top Row is usually enough. If you use Custom Views, save one named “Show All” that clears filters and unhides everything. That gives you a one-click safety net when a sheet acts up. You’re set now.